Pakistani Handicrafts: Fascinating and Captivating

An absorbing feature of Pakistani culture is the fascinating and captivating handicrafts. Every country has its own local crafts, which exhibit the taste and colours of its region. Pakistan is a country rich in culture. Crafts are the main source of livelihood for the people of the country, and are handed down from father to son.

The wonderful artisanship is the most renowned cultural identification of Pakistan. The handicrafts making tradition is thousands of years old Pakistani custom which is evident from the remains of ancient Indus Valley, Harappa and Mohen-jo-Daro civilizations.

The different regions with wide variety of tradition and culture, languages, folklore, music, dresses and costumes have much to offer to any expert of handicrafts. The Kashmiri Shawls, the Balochi and Sindhi embroidery work, the Peshawari chappals (an indigenous shoe ware) and carpets, camel skin lamps of Multan, Gujrati pottery and the wood and brass work done in different parts of Pakistan have charm of their very own. The handicraft shops in major cities are full of attractive items which are taken as souvenirs by the tourists from the world over.  

Mirror crafting art of Multan

The immense magic created by the Pakistani hands is visible from the artistry of the dazzling jewellery. Dresses are one of the most sought out handicrafts of Pakistan from all around the world. Multan, Bahawalpur and surrounding areas are full of gifted men and women who produce one of the most adorable cross stitches. “Tilla”, Pearl and “Salma Sitary” work of KPK are very famous.  Swat is well-known due to thread embroidery, whereas, in D.G.Khan mirror work is done on clothes. Works of these types are called “Kadhai.” Handmade CHAPPALS are very much in fashion these days. The funky threads & beads used in the footwear gives it a classy look. The handmade chappals always compliment the hot summers in Pakistan.

Handicrafts are the most striking expressions of the individuality of Pakistan's regional identities. The colour, the shape or style of a craft item instantly evokes its region.

The handicrafts of Pakistan are particularly famous for the captivating embellishment, attractive colours and beautiful textures. There is an ethnic division of the handicrafts making as many regions of Pakistan have their own individual handicrafts heritage.

Decorative items of Northern Pakistan

The traditional decorative goods like bags, rugs, cane baskets and mats have remained a phenomenal ingredient of the Northern Pakistan. The handmade wooden pottery especially bowls and carves are the distinctive parts of the heritage of Hunza valley. Hand-woven utensil is very popular not only in the rural but also in the urban areas of Sindh and Punjab. Multan is famous for the exotic handicrafts made with camel bones. Clay pots are amazingly decorated with fantastic mirror work in Multan and the Southern Punjab. Chiniot and areas adjacent to Kashmir are famous for the exquisite carving in wood and woodcrafts inlaid with ivory, which are highly prized by tourists. Marble Carving generally come from Balochistan and KPK. 

The traditional penny banks or money boxes made of clay have still not lost their popularity among Pakistani kids. The traditional wooden bags are also very mesmerizing for their tremendous art work. The handmade Khussa shoes is the cultural footwear of Pakistan, which are made with fine leather and decorated with golden and silver threads, beads and sequins on traditional motifs. No one can deny the beauty of the superb and handmade patchwork art of Sindh. The hand knotted carpets and oriental rugs of Pakistan are world famous and magnificent in their character. 

A beautiful piece of Sindhi patchwork

Handicrafts of Pakistan are precious stones in the bejewelled crown of Pakistani culture and heritage. They are special in kind and unique in design. The handicrafts of Pakistan are very well known for their unique cultural essence in all over the world. The expertise of the people represents their love for Pakistan. They utilized the resources of their regions and add their special skill, love and interest to make the masterpieces of different handicrafts to promote the Pakistani cultures and traditions.